ACCOUNTING

Associate in Science and Certificate of Achievement

The Accounting Department at El Camino College offers a wide range of accounting classes
aimed at transferring to a four-year college or university or for career advancement.

Students will learn analytical skills and develop the background they need for successful
careers in public, private, and governmental accounting. They will also be able to
organize, create, update, and maintain financial information for a variety of organizational
needs.

Accounting students will learn to develop and compile accounting information and then
communicate that data for planning use, control, analysis, performance evaluations,
and other functions.

After completing the degree program or the certificate program at El Camino College,
students will be qualified to work in general accounting, budgeting, cost accounting,
and as paraprofessionals in public accounting.

Degree Programs

The accounting major for the Associate in Science Degree provides students with a
strong foundation to pursue many careers in accounting. Students can earn a degree
in accounting after completing 60 semester units, including the General Education
requirements listed in the El Camino College Catalog. For more information, click here.

Major requirements include:

Financial Accounting (BUS 1A)

Managerial Accounting (BUS 1B)

Intermediate Accounting (BUS 2A)

Intermediate Accounting (BUS 2B)

Cost Accounting (BUS 4)

Income Tax Accounting (BUS 5A)

Computer Information Systems (CIS 13)

Business Law (LAW 5)

Certificate Programs

A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the required courses
and a minimum of 15 units must be completed at El Camino College. For more information,
click here.

Certificate requirements include:

Financial Accounting (BUS 1A)

Managerial Accounting (BUS 1B)

Intermediate Accounting (BUS 2A)

Intermediate Accounting (BUS 2B)

Cost Accounting (BUS 4)

Income Tax Accounting (BUS 5A)

Computer Information Systems (CIS 13)

Business Law (LAW 5)

Career Paths

Accounting offers exciting career opportunities. Accounting careers are usually divided
into two areas: private accounting and public accounting.

Private AccountingPrivate accountants work for a single business, such as a local department store,
or the Eastman Kodak Company. Charitable organizations, educational institutions,
and government agencies also employ private accountants. Private accountants perform
a wide variety of services:

Cost accounting: analyzes a business's costs to help managers control expenses.

Internal auditing: is performed by a business's own accountants. These accountants
evaluate the firm's accounting and management systems to improve operating efficiency

Public AccountingPublic accountants serve the general public. Like private accountants, public accountants
provide many valuable services:

Auditing: is one of the accounting profession's most important services. In conducting
an audit, CPAs from outside a business examine the business's financial statements.

Tax accounting: has two aims: complying with the tax laws and minimizing the company's
tax bill. Accountants prepare tax returns and plan business transactions to minimize
taxes. CPAs advise individuals on what type of investments to make and on how to structure
their transactions.

Management consulting: with the insights CPAs gain by conducting audits, they make
suggestions for improvements in the business's management structure and accounting
systems.